Head-rest for cots.



w. s. 'RANSOMI HEAD REST FOR-COTS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1910.

Patented Jan. 17, 1911.

A [to rw v/l.

WINFIELD S. EANSOM, 0F SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

HEAD-REST FOR cors.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 17, 1911.

Application filed. August 9, 1910. Serial N 0. 576,399.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, l/VINFIELD Soo'r'r RAN- sorr, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Head-Rests for Cots, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in adjustable head-rests for hospital cots, beds, couches and similar furnishings where such a device might be useful.

The main object is to provide a foldable head rest capable of being used in connection with any cot, bed or similar device and gradually adjusted from one extreme position to another or to any intermediate position without liability of jar or inconvenience to the patient or other occupant.

Another object is to make the device light, strong and compact so that it may be easily placed in operative position or removed and capable of sustaining any ordinary wei ht when adjusted for use or may be folded into a substantial flat plane within a comparatively small space and left on the cot or bed for the reception of pillows or other head rests.

A further object is to provide means for quickly attaching and detaching the canvas to and from the supporting frame and also to provide removable reinforcing rods for the marginal edges of such canvas to relieve the same from excessive strains by the attached elements and at the same time permit the canvas to be removed and washed or cleansed in the usual manner when the reinforcing rods are removed.

Another object is to provide means whereby the head rest may be adjusted from either side.

A still further object is to provide means for locking the parts in their folded position.

Other objects and uses will be brought out by the following description.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the head rest adjusted for use in its extreme up position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same device in its knock-down or folded position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan, partly broken away and partly in section, of the same device in its folded position as seen in Fig. 2. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged sectional views taken respectively on lines M Fig. 3 and 5-5 and.

justing strap thereto.

66 Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through one end of the folded frames showing the means for looking such frames in their folded position. Fig. 8 is an enlarged elevation of the lower end of one of the slotted brackets or links as engaged with its supporting pin which is shown in section. Fig. 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the winding drum for one of the adjusting straps showing the means for securing such strap to the drum. Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the end bar of the adjustable frame showing the means for attaching the ad- Fig. 11 is an elevation of the lower end of one of the rock arms and its supporting clip.

This head rest comprises a main supporting frame or base -1 and an adjustable frame 2 of nearly the same size hinged thereto at one end by suitable strap hinges 3. The main supporting frame 1- preferably consists of parallel side bars4E- spaced some distance apart according to the width desired and held in fixed relation at one end by cross bars 5- and -6 which are rigidly secured thereto by suitable fastenings as bolts or screws or by gluing. The side bars l extend some distance toward the foot of the device beyond the cross bar 6 and are unconnected or free to spring more or less laterally, under pressure upon the canvas hereinafter described. In like manner the frame -2 preferably consists of parallel lengthwise bars -4: and a single cross bar 5 connecting the head ends of the side bars 4: said side bars t being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of the bars The lower or foot ends of the bars 4= are also unconnected by any rigid bars and are therefore free to spring laterally and are connected to the foot ends of the bars 4=- of the frame l by the hinges 3 so that the frame 2 may be folded fiatwise down upon the frame l or adjusted upwardly through an arc of approximately45 degrees by suitable mechanism hereinafter described. The free ends of the bars 4 may be braced against undue lateral movement by suitable metal braces 7 which are disposed diagonally across the corners of the junctions of the bars t and -6 and are secured thereto by suitable screws or bolts. In like manner the junctions of the side bar 4- with the cross bar -5 may be reinforced by similar braces 7. These frames 1- and 2- are preferably made of wood for lightness and resiliency or may be made of metal if desired.

A pair of metal bearings or clip plates 8. are secured to the head ends of the side bars 4 in close proximity to the adjacent cross bar 6 and in these bearings is journaled a transversely extending rock shaft 9 having its ends protruding through and some distance beyond the bearings 8. Upon these protruding ends is secured a pair of parallel arms 10 and 11 which in this instance are nearly as long as the side bars -4- of the supporting base 1. The free ends of the said arms are provided with journal bearings 12 and -13 in which is ournaled a transverse shaft or drum -1l running parallel with the rock shaft 9, said arms being adapted to be rocked from a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 2 to a substantially vertical position as shown in Fig. 1.

The distance of the shaft 14 from the rock shaft -9 determines the maximum angle to which the frame -2 may be tilted with reference to the supporting base or frame 1 and in this instance the shaft or drum l4- is journaled in the extreme upper ends of the arms 10- and therefore permits an adjustment of the frame 2- through an arc of nearly 45 degrees from a horizontal plane in which the frame l is usually supported. The upper ends of the arms 10 in which the shaft --14- is journaled are provided with clip plates l6 secured thereto by suitable fastening means as screws 17 and their lower ends are spaced apart from their corresponding arms 10 and 11 to form intervening recesses -18. The opposite sides of these recesses are provided with suitable apertures for receiving pivotal bolts -19- to which are pivoted corresponding ends of parallel links or brackets 20-- having their opposite ends engaged by suitable fastening devices on the intermediate portions of the side bars -4t some distance from the rock shaft 9 to brace the main supporting bars 10 against undue strains when the head rest is adjusted for use. These fastening devices preferably consist of metal clip plates -2l secured by suit-- able fastening means as screws or bolts to the side bars 4lin close proximity to and preferably just back of the cross bar G- and are provided with outwardly projecting studs 22 forming guide bearings for the lower ends of the brackets or links 20 and also adapted to receive clamping nuts 23- by which the links 20 may be held in their adjusted positions. These links or brackets 20 are provided with lengthwise slots 2tfor receiving the studs 22- and terminate at their lower ends in lateral offsets or recesses 26- forming overhanging bearings 27- preferably at one side of the plane of the main slots 2elso that when the device is adjusted for use the load or strain which tends to collapse the device will be borne by the bearings l7 resting upon the studs 22 rather than relying upon friction by the clamping nuts 23, the latter merely serving to hold the lower nuts of the links -20- against accidental displacement of the bearings 27 from the studs. The links 20 are therefore pivoted to and between the ends of the arms 10 and ll preferably a short distance from the shaft or drum 14, the slots :24 being of sutlicient length to permit the arms 10 and 11 to be adjusted to a vertical or horizontal position without disengaging the links 20- from the studs -2Q more than by loosening the clamping nuts 23.

A flexible head rest -28 of canvas or similar material is stretched across the upper face of the frame 2 and detachably secured thereto along its lengthwise sides and head by suitable fastening means'as studs or carriage buttons 28 which are screwed into the side and head bar l and 5 of the frame 2 for entering suitable buttonholes in the marginal edges of the canvas 28. The side and head edges of the canvas are preferably overturned to form open hems or loops 29 and are reinforced by wire rods or bars 30 which are inserted in said loops just at the outer sides of the buttons or studs -2S so as to prevent tearing out of the button holes and to distribute the strains along the entire edge of such canvas, said wires being provided with protruding ends usually in the form of rings whereby they may be withdrawn when it is desired to remove the canvas for cleansing or for any other purpose.

The head end of the frame 2 is connected by flexible straps or cables 32- to the shaft 1 l which is adapted to be rotated by means of a hand-crank 33, the opposite ends of the shaft 1% being angular in cross section so that the crank arm 33 may be applied to either end. The straps 32- are secured at one end by suitable fastening means as a screw-bolt 3% and plate 35 to the periphery of the shaft 14: upon which they are adapted to be wound as the shaft is rotated, the opposite ends of such straps being secured to the under sides of the head ends of the bars 4-. by clamping screws 36 and plates 37 as thus seen in Fig. -10.

The arms 10- upon which the shaft l4 is journaled are provided at their lower ends with laterally projecting shoul ders or limiting stops 88 adapted to engage the upper faces of the clip plates 8- to limit the opening movement of the arms 10 when the device is adjusted for use.

The means for holding the frame -2-' carrying the canvas head rest 28 in its adjusted position consists of a ratchet wheel 39 and coacting pawl -40, the ratchet wheel 39 being rigidly secured to the shaft 14 between the adjacent portion of the arm 10 and clip plate 16 while the pawl l0 is pivoted at 41 between the same members at one side of the ratchet wheel and is provided with a hand piece l2- whereby the pawl may be disengaged from the ratchet wheel when it is desired to speedily lower the frame 2.

In folding the parts of the frame of the head rest as shown in Fig. 2, the frame 2 is first dropped downwardly until it lies flatwise against the lower frame 1 whereupon the clamping nuts -23 are loosened by hand thus permitting the lower ends of the links -20 to be shifted to disengage the bearings 27 from the studs -22 thus permitting the arms -10 to be rocked downwardly toward the foot of the head rest, the slots -24- permitting the links -20 to ride downwardly upon their respective studs -22 until both of the arms 10 and links 20 assume a substantially horizontal position as shown in Fig. 2 during which operation the shaft -14- travels lengthwise of and rests upon the upper surface of the frame -2- and canvas 28. In adjusting the device for use the operation is reversed and it will be noted that the lower edge of the canvas is unattached between its side edges thus leaving practically the entire canvas between the side pieces of the frame 2 to conform to the contour of the body rest thereon.

That I claim is:

1. A head rest comprising a pair of frames hinged together at one end so as to be tilted to different angles and to fold one upon the other, rock arms pivotally mounted upon the opposite end of one of the frames, means for holding the rock arms in their adjusted position, a rotary shaft journaled on the rock arms, cables attached to and adapted to be wound upon the shaft and connected to the adjacent end of the other frame, means for rotating said shaft and a flexible fabric stretched across and attached to the last named frame.

2. A head rest comprising a supporting frame and tiltable frame hinged at one end to the supporting frame, a rotary shaft, a support for the shaft pivotally mounted upon the supporting frame, means for rotating the shaft, connections between the shaft and tiltable frame for tilting the latter to different angles, means for holding the shaft against rotary movement in one direction and a fabric stretched across the tiltable frame.

3. A head rest comprising a supporting frame, arms hinged, upon and rising from one end of the frame, a shaft journaled on the upper ends of the arms, means for rotating the shaft, a tiltable frame hinged to the opposite end of the supporting frame and provided with a fabric covering, and flexible connections between the frame and shaft adapted to be wound and unwound upon and from said shaft.

4. A head rest comprising a supporting frame, a rock shaft journaled on the head end of said frame, arms secured to the rock shaft and movable from the plane of the frame to an upright position, studs on the supporting frame, braces pivoted to the arms and provided with lengthwise slots for receiving said studs, said slots terminating at their lower ends in lateral offsets forming shoulders adapted to rest on the studs when the arms are adjusted to their upright position for holding said arms in such positions, a rotary shaft journaled upon the upper ends of the arms, a tiltable frame hinged to the foot end of the supporting frame, cables connecting the shaft to the tiltable frame and adapted to be wound upon said shaft, and means for rotating the last named shaft.

5. In the head rest a supporting frame, a tiltable frame hinged at one end to the foot end of the supporting frame, arms pivotally connected to the head ends of the supporting frame and movable to and from the plane of said supporting frame and to and from an upright position, threaded studs on the supporting frame, links pivotally connected to one end of the arms and slidably engaged with the lugs, nuts on the lugs for clamping the links in their adjusted positions, a rotary shaft journaled on the arms, flexible connections between the head end of the tiltable frame and the shaft and adapted to be wound and unwound upon and from said shaft, means for rotating the shaft and means for holding the shaft, against unwinding.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 4th day of August 1910.

XVINFIELD S. RANSOM. 

